Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 262 - 263 Li Sijie Falls into a Love Trap

Chapter 262: Chapter 263 Li Sijie Falls into a Love Trap

Xiao Qiang stared agape, his gaze fixed on the Ferrari. His brain had entirely stopped working until a screeching horn brought him back to reality, realizing he was about to collide with a car emerging from beside him. He hastily slammed on the brakes and narrowly avoided an accident. However, because he had been showing off just moments before and hadn’t fastened his safety belt, his head slammed heavily against the steering wheel, causing a large bump to swell on his forehead immediately.

"Fuck, where did he get a Ferrari from!" The pain on his head jolted Xiao Qiang back to lucidity, and he immediately cursed inwardly.

"There’s no way that’s his. If he could actually afford a Ferrari, would he still be working here as an instructor?" Xiao Qiang couldn’t believe it was real; the shock was simply too much to handle.

Xiao Qiang was stunned, and so were the others in the club. Miao Xuanxuan had been there a long time, but everyone’s impression was that her family’s background was very ordinary. The clothes she wore weren’t expensive brands, and her jewelry consisted of regular accessories. Besides having the latest iPhone—a common enough item for any girl—nothing about her suggested extraordinary wealth.

Even though everyone knew Miao Xuanxuan was beautiful, she hadn’t seemed to have a significant advantage in their eyes. But now that she had suddenly left in a Ferrari, the gap between their perceptions and reality was profoundly jarring.

"What’s going on?" Li Sijie walked out and noticed the odd atmosphere at the entrance. She casually asked one of the instructors in the club.

"President Li..." The man’s mouth twitched, then he said, "Ferrari, a Ferrari."

"What Ferrari?" Li Sijie was even more puzzled.

"Just now, Miao Xuanxuan and Song Xiaodong left in a Ferrari."

"Oh, that. What’s there to make such a fuss about?" Li Sijie shook her head. Although she hadn’t seen Song Xiaodong driving a Ferrari before, she now knew that he was no ordinary person. To him, driving a Ferrari wasn’t anything extraordinary.

Seeing Li Sijie’s composure, the instructor couldn’t help but admire her. President Li was truly President Li, the epitome of sophistication and grace.

Li Sijie got into her Accord, gripping the steering wheel without immediately starting the car. Thinking of Song Xiaodong, her heart felt a little confused. She had hardly seen him on the days he came to the club.

Song Xiaodong hadn’t sought her out, and she felt embarrassed to seek him instead, but in truth, she missed him dearly.

After their few encounters, she found herself infatuated with the feeling. Song Xiaodong’s strength, along with his ability to make her feel like she was soaring during those intimate moments in bed, were experiences she had never had before. Often during sleepless nights, she would clutch her pillow, imagining it was Song Xiaodong, struggling to fall asleep.

But Li Sijie knew all too well that a relationship with Song Xiaodong was impossible. She was divorced, and Song Xiaodong was a younger man. More importantly, it was clear that Song Xiaodong was no ordinary man but someone destined for great things. She, as a woman, simply didn’t qualify to be with someone like him.

Knowing the reality was one thing, but the more she understood, the more she yearned—a torment that had become unbearable these past days.

Shaking her head, Li Sijie let out a sigh and temporarily pushed her concerns to the back of her mind. Right now, she still had to dine with the fire safety inspector; the fire safety inspections had become extremely strict. If they couldn’t pass the inspection, her club wouldn’t be able to continue operating at all.

Originally, Li Sijie’s club was built strictly according to fire safety standards, but recently the Section Chief in charge of this area had changed. A few days ago, they had come for an inspection and pointed out several issues.

Having been in business for a few years, Li Sijie understood right away that the other party was deliberately causing trouble, looking to gain some advantage from her. But she had no choice but to acquiesce, realizing that if she wanted to stay in business, she couldn’t afford to offend these "big shots."

Today, she had specifically invited the Section Chief for dinner and had also prepared a sizable red envelope to smooth things over. There should be no more problems afterward.

When she arrived at the agreed-upon hotel, Li Sijie spotted a red Ferrari at the entrance and subconsciously assumed it might be the one mentioned earlier; Song Xiaodong was probably here as well.

Upon entering the hotel lobby, she immediately scanned the area and saw Song Xiaodong and Miao Xuanxuan inside. A sudden, indescribable joy filled her heart, and she quickly approached them, asking, "Xiaodong, Xuanxuan, what brings you here as well?"

"President Li, what brings you here?" Miao Xuanxuan immediately came over and took Li Sijie’s hand.

Li Sijie smiled lightly and said, "I’ve arranged to have dinner with someone here," all the while her gaze involuntarily flicking over to Song Xiaodong.

As their gazes met, Song Xiaodong could feel the intensity in Li Sijie’s eyes, which made him feel somewhat unnerved, instinctively avoiding her gaze.

Li Sijie instantly sensed the evasion and her heart couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Song Xiaodong also realized it right away, and feeling somewhat guilty—after all, he and Li Sijie shared a certain connection—he met her eyes again and offered her a gentle smile.

A woman caught in the web of love often finds her intelligence clouded by anxiety and vulnerability. Song Xiaodong’s smile instantly lifted Li Sijie’s spirits, sweeping away the momentary feeling of loss.

Unaware of the undercurrents, Miao Xuanxuan blinked playfully and teased, "President Li, are you meeting some handsome man? Do you need us to help vet him for you?"

Li Sijie’s heart skipped a beat, worried that such jokes could easily lead to misunderstandings with Song Xiaodong. She hurriedly said, "No, no, I’m here to dine with someone from the fire department. It’s business-related." Her eyes flicked to Song Xiaodong once more, and seeing that he wasn’t concerned, she breathed a sigh of relief. She could bear watching Song Xiaodong and Miao Xuanxuan together, but she truly didn’t want Song Xiaodong to think she was involved with another man.

"Oh, that’s no fun," Miao Xuanxuan pouted, adding, "I wanted to join you for a meal, but we’ll just eat on our own then."

"Alright, I should go up first so as not to keep anyone waiting." Li Sijie felt content just locking eyes with Song Xiaodong twice and feared that a longer conversation would lead to a slip-up, causing Miao Xuanxuan to notice something off, which would only trouble Song Xiaodong.

After Li Sijie went upstairs, Song Xiaodong and Miao Xuanxuan were also about to go up when several people came in, one of whom immediately saw Song Xiaodong and approached briskly.